Books and Other Writing
Writing has always been my respite, even as a young girl. I have poems dating back to when I was 8. I wrote some short stories too, but I always seem to come back to poetry. I joke that it's just simpler to write than fiction. There is no plot and no characters to develop. As an adult and an energy healer, I realize it's much deeper than that.
Now, I find that poetry is much like doing energy healing work. It allows me to transmute difficult feelings in a gentler way. Readers can take their own meaning from it and use it how they need it in the moment. And it can mean something totally different when read at a later time. It also offers softness in a very harsh world. And perhaps most importantly, it offers me as much healing as it offers those who read it. My hope is that you'll find the healing you seek in my poems, as they've been carefully cultivated for you.
LIMINAL
Between Life and Breath
Are YOU a Liminal Being?
Drawn from Ashley Castle Barnes’ Daily Bliss poems, Liminal: Between Life and Breath is a beautiful and bold literary experience that dares you to venture between worlds, opening the doorway to the unknown and shedding light on the profound transformation that lurks within discomfort. Written for the dreamer, the visionary, and the enigmatic individuals who live outside society’s bounds, these three hundred sixty-five verses help unlock a wealth of understanding, fuel the imagination, and create a new way of being that honors their truth.
Liminal encourages you to float with the waves of feelings that flood in when you embrace your identity outside the boxes of black-and-white living and welcome the sometimes-scary periods of uncertainty. In doing so, you will discover the wealth of experience that awaits beyond our familiar worlds, and bear witness to the magic and mystery awaiting those who wade into the dark and tumultuous depths of the unknown.
Liminal speaks to the heart and soul of anyone who has ever felt that they don’t belong, inviting them to define life on their own terms. Read from beginning to end, one section at a time, or flip open a page and trust that you’ll find what your soul craves.
“Liminal” is not just a compilation of beautifully crafted poems: it’s a call to come alive to yourself. Ashley’s genius is not only in writing thoughtful words, but writing words that make you feel seen… especially if you don’t feel you fully fit into the boxes others assume you do. It brims with possibility, truth, compassion, and a reminder there is something more that’s possible for you. Both a balm to the soul and a gentle fire to light you up, this is one I will dip into over and over again. Thank you for this beautiful work, and for bringing the magic of liminal spaces to life so perfectly.”
~Marianne Cantwell, TEDx speaker, "Hidden Power Of Not Always Fitting In", and author of Be A Free Range Human
THE RISING
In the rising, we find peace.
In the rising, we connect to love.
In the rising, we take action to make our lives what we know in our souls they can be.
In the rising we awaken, we heal, and we inspire.
For ourselves. For all beings. For a world worth saving.
In the rising, we are One.
Centered around the universal theme that all suffering provides opportunity for growth, The Rising shines light on both the individual and collective pain currently manifesting in our world. The poems within are reflective of Barnes’ own process of awakening, as well as the inspiration she found to help heal herself and others through three distinct yet necessary stages of personal development: awakening to our unique gifts and talents, healing what stands in our way, and rising up to become inspirational leaders for ourselves and for our world.
Serving as a call to sacred action, The Rising reminds us that the time is now to cultivate healing within. The time is now to align with love rather than darkness. The time is now to Awaken, Heal, and Inspire.
The time is now for The Rising.
THE ANGEL INSIDE
Inspiration to Connect With Your Inner Guidance
As the world becomes increasingly chaotic and noisy, we seek truth and peace now more than ever before.
Ignoring ingrained wisdom, we often seek answers to our greatest struggles in the turbulent world around us. Yet within us, a voice quietly beckons:
“We invite you to look deeper inside
where silence overrides the noise
where the gentle whisper overrides the silence.
That is your soul.
Go deeper, leave this world behind.
Find us. We are here and we love you.”
This is the voice of your inner guidance -- your Angel Inside.
The Angel Inside: An Inspired Guide to Connecting with Your Inner Guidance invites you to embark on a journey within. Through original poetry, inspired writings, and opportunities to reflect, Ashley Barnes, offers a practical guide accessible to seekers of all faith traditions which illuminates a source of respite from chaotic external influences, reveals your inner source of truth, and connects you to the inner guidance for which you (perhaps unknowingly) yearn.
THE EMPATH EFFECT
Powerful Stories of Love, Courage & Transformation
What happens when you realize you are an empath?
You transform, just as the caterpillar breaks down in the cocoon. You shed your old ways, your old skin, and you recognize your bad habits and the toxic people in your life. You may go through an awakening of the soul. It feels big because it is big. It's life-changing. You are now the butterfly.
Empaths have superpowers, and once you step into yours and embrace your gifts, you become who you were meant to be. You realize you are not "too sensitive" and don't need to "toughen up." You no longer feel exhausted, drained and, overwhelmed. You understand you are not alone. Life suddenly makes sense.
This book is a collection of stories from twenty-two empathic authors who share the journey of their awakening, transformation, and recovery. Their stories contain beautiful poetry, vivid descriptions of how an empath can see the world, and compelling messages of change, healing, and joy. These are real stories shared from the heart.
The Empath Effect is a powerful tool for healing. If you're an empath or sensitive person, this book is a must-read. Take the plunge and discover your empath effect.
Book Praise
“Ashley's insight came at a time when I needed it most. Imagine, right? This book has helped, and continues to help me cope with a very stressful time in my life. If you're reading this, maybe you should continue down that path and order it.” (The Angel Inside) ~Nicole B.
“A wonderful book! It is filled with beautiful poetry and inspiration!”
“Barnes book is a personal guide to connecting with the inner ascending self, featuring inspirational poetry and probing questions to awaken spiritual consciousness. The exquisite poems are modern psalms celebrating our connection to the Source which is Love. I was energized and refreshed through my retreat with this wonderful book by Ashley Barnes.”
Ashley found ways to articulate feelings I’ve struggled to describe in The Rising. I felt so much emotion as I read and related to many of the poems and the feelings of frustration and empowerment they invoked within me. This is a beautiful, timely book of encouragement for any and all who feel helpless to the pain we feel empathetically from the world around us. ~Debi B.
"Such a inspiring and thoughtful read. As the book unfolded before me, I was anticipating the next words of recognition and hope. Ashley articulated so many of my own feelings in such an honest and empathic way. As "The Rising" continued to resonate with me with each new poem, I knew I had been blessed with a true gift to help me in my journey to recognize, heal and embrace my true Empathic self and the world. I am sure I will be returning to read passages of "The Rising" again and again." ~ Sheila P.
"Ashley has done it again! Such inspiring work, I'm going to use the poems has daily reflections. The more I read and think about the poems, the deeper I feel them; she has touched my soul!" ~Ginny F.
"When I first read this book, tears began rolling down my cheeks. It was as if I was holding a piece of heaven in my hands. Having met Ashley Barnes, the author/creator, that’s the way I felt about her as I saw and embraced her. Sometimes we all could use a touchstone, something to hold onto that breathes of Light, a reminder of Love. This gentle and tender writing, “The Rising”, does exactly that as it carries a beauty radiance, the Holy Calm. You will know and feel its soft magnificence as soon as you receive it. Thank you, dear Ashley Barnes for birthing and blessing us with this Preciousness!" ~Sharon M.
OTHER WRITING
In addition to my books and Poetic Healing blog, I've also published articles for the international web magazine Elephant Journal, as well as Sivana East and the Wellness Universe. Below is an archive of those essays and articles.
Book Signing Fun!
